Maryland

Nearly 30 teenagers in Maryland robbed a 7-Eleven convenient store over the weekend, contributing to the recent flash mob violence, which has emerged over several cities across the states.

The large group consisting of mainly black teens stole several items from the store in Germantown, Md., including candy and other goods.

Surveillance video obtained by the police showcased the entire robbery from beginning to end, starting with the teens casually walking into the store, picking out items of their choice off the shelves, and ending with them walking out without paying for the items. more >>

Another longtime evangelical minister is stepping back from ministry to examine his soul. C. J. Mahaney announced last week that he is taking a leave of absence.

Mahaney has chosen to step back from his leadership position at Sovereign Grace Ministries after facing charges not of immorality or financial impropriety, but of certain character flaws such as "pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."

"These charges (from former pastors and leaders in Sovereign Grace) are serious and they have been very grieving to read," Mahaney said in his announcement last week. more >>

An Episcopal church in Maryland will be the first in the nation to join the Roman Catholic Church, both church groups announced Monday.

Both the members and pastor of St. Luke's Episcopal parish in Bladensburg, Md., will be converting to Catholicism under a process set up by the Vatican to bring disaffected Episcopalians and Anglicans into its fold.

St. Luke's, a small congregation of about 100, will come under the care of the Archdiocese of Washington until an ordinate is established in the United States. more >>

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. – A Maryland Church chose to reach beyond its four walls and share the love of Christ with its community this Easter by hosting a day of family fun and giving away free groceries.

First Baptist Church of District Heights in Maryland hosted a Saturday Easter egg hunt and a grocery giveaway on Saturday for the District Heights community. About 1,000 people attended the event during which children decorated paper crosses with memory verses, searched for plastic eggs filled with candy, and romped in the inflated playhouse while parents picked up free bags of groceries.

Although First Baptist Church of District Heights is not a megachurch with a mega budget, its new pastor Bobby Manning said of the expense, "We really wanted to sink the most money in doing something for the people." more >>

A Baltimore city school is at the center of a controversy for promoting and hosting a prayer service to encourage students to do well on state academic tests.

The Baltimore City Public School System (BCPS) and the American Civil Liberties Union are admonishing Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle School for promoting a Saturday prayer service for students taking the Maryland School Assessment.

The Saturday prayer was also held inside the school building. more >>

A bill to legalize gay marriage in Maryland has been sent back to the committee to be taken up next year.

After being passed through the state Senate and the House's committee, the Maryland bill that would allow lesbians and gays to wed was tabled on Friday.

House supporters did not allow the bill to come to a vote because they allegedly could not rally the 71 votes needed to pass the legislation. The bill has been sent back to the committee where it can be considered again. House Speaker Michael Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said the bill would not be considered again until next year. more >>